HC Deb 05 February 1819 vol 39 cc333-4

The bill was committed and reported, and on the motion that it be read a. third time to morrow.

Sir M. W. Ridley

hoped the chancellor of the exchequer would not press the third reading of this bill to-morrow. There was a part of the bill in which he conceived there was something objectionable. He did not object to giving the custody of his majesty's person to the duke of York, as he conceived his majesty could not be in better hands; but he objected to vesting in the hands of the duke of York, certain patronage and power, which ought not to be in the hands of a person who was the successor to the crown. On this subject, perhaps, some important light might be thrown, by the committee lately appointed, and he hoped, therefore, that they would wait for the report of that committee before the bill was read a third time, in order that they might know in what way that patronage could be best disposed of. If, however, it was the sense of the House that the third reading should take place now, he would not press his objection.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

said, that it was of great importance to have this bill passed as soon as possible, but he would defer the third reading to Monday.

Sir M. W. Ridley

said, that if it was a matter of any necessity, he did not wish to throw any impediment in the way of the third reading.

Mr. Lamb

concurred in the principle which his hon. friend had laid down. It was one which ought always to be observed, wherever it possibly could. Every person must recollect what passed on a former night, when objections were made to what was properly denominated, this imperium in imperio, because it placed influence, which belonged to the crown in other hands. At the same time, it must be observed, that this was a necessity, absolutely forced on the legislature, and that the circumstances of the case were such that they were compelled to submit to them: for it was impossible that the duke of York could be responsible for the safety of his majesty and the conduct of his household, unless he had the power of removing the persons constituting that household.

The bill was then ordered to be read the third time to-morrow.